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FDJ UNITED Sets Ambitious Sustainability Objectives and Strategies for 2028

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FDJ UNITED, a leader in betting and gaming in Europe, has held its Investor Day to present its operational, ESG and financial goals under its “Play Forward 2028” strategic plan.

Stéphane Pallez, Chairwoman and CEO of FDJ UNITED, said: “FDJ UNITED has undergone a considerable transformation since its IPO, with financial and non-financial performance underscoring the success of our strategy for sustainable, profitable growth. 2025 is a pivotal year for the Group, with the consolidation of Kindred, the benefits of which are reflected in our ‘Play Forward 2028’ strategic plan. This plan opens a new chapter in our transformation, with the ambition of asserting our position as Europe’s leading responsible betting and gaming operator, based on a more diversified, more digital and more international business portfolio. ‘Play Forward 2028’ aims to continue to create value for our shareholders and all our stakeholders.”

FDJ UNITED Continues to Pursue Sustainable Value Creation

The Group’s performance in 2019-2024 demonstrated the relevance of its strategy, notably focused on expanding its digital and international presence, while maintaining solid business momentum at its points of sale in France.

As a result, the Group’s international presence now accounts for around 26% of its revenue, compared with 3% in 2019, and the share of digital revenue has risen from 5% to 35% over the period.

Between 2019 and 2024, through a combination of organic growth and acquisitions, FDJ UNITED’s revenue increased by a factor of 1.8, to €3.8 billion,2 with average annual organic growth of over 5%. recurring EBITDA has increased by a factor of 2.3, to €964 million,2 equating to a recurring EBITDA margin that rose by nearly 500 basis points to over 25% in 2024.

This high level of profitability can be explained both by the operating leverage of FDJ UNITED’s businesses and by the performance-driven culture intrinsic to the Group.

Guidance for 2025 Confirmed

Taking into account the strong performance achieved in 2024, the impact in 2025 of the sharp increase in taxes on betting and gaming in France and the Netherlands as well as the stricter implementation of regulations in major markets, FDJ UNITED expects to see revenue remain stable over the financial year, compared to 2024 pro forma, and a recurring EBITDA margin of over 24%.

Solid Targets for 2028

Over the period 2025-2028, FDJ UNITED aims to assert its leadership in Europe as a responsible lottery, gaming and betting operator and expects to see:

• Average annual organic revenue growth of around 5%.

• Recurring EBITDA margin of over 26% by 2028.

Margin growth is driven by the operating leverage generated by business growth combined with the efficiency measures taken by FDJ UNITED, for a total impact over the 2025-2028 period of more than €120 million, more than half of which is attributable to the Online betting and gaming BU and nearly 40% to the French lottery and retail sports betting BU.

The Group will benefit from its past and future investments in the use of data and artificial intelligence to further improve the gaming range and player experience in a responsible manner.

• Recurring EBITDA to free cash flow conversion rate remaining above 80%.

• Cumulative capital expenditure of between €650 and €700 million, equating to an annual amount towards the lower end of the Group’s historical range of 4% to 5% of revenue.

• Net debt to recurring EBITDA ratio less than or equal to 2x, with Investment-Grade debt.

An Attractive Dividend Policy

FDJ UNITED is pursuing its attractive dividend policy, with year-on-year dividend growth reflecting its performance and medium-term outlook, based on a payout ratio of at least 75% of adjusted net profit.

Confirmed Non-financial Commitments

At the same time, FDJ UNITED plans to continue expanding its CSR initiatives and to maintain its non-financial performance at the highest level.

FDJ UNITED is therefore making a dual commitment, unique among betting and gaming operators, to:

• Continue to reduce the proportion of its revenue attributable to high-risk players. In addition to the highly promising results already achieved by both FDJ and Kindred before their tie-up, the Group is working on setting new targets, which will be shared in early 2026.

• Raise the level of its voluntary contribution to social and environmental causes to 5% of the Group’s reported net profit by 2030, compared with 2.7% in 2024.

Within this framework, FDJ UNITED announced an investment of €5 million in Averrhoa Nature-Based Solutions, a fund led by Ardian in partnership with aDryada aiming at restoring forests, wetlands and mangroves and contributing to carbon sequestration from the atmosphere while generating high-quality carbon credits.

The French lottery and retail sports betting BU is aiming to achieve sustainable, profitable growth in its pool of players, across its two distribution channels, complemented by an omnichannel approach.

The main driver of growth over the period 2025-2028 is expected to be the influx of more than one million additional players, compared with 27 million players in 2024. This influx will be driven both by the expansion of the point-of-sale network to cover large food retailers – which could account for 20% of the physical network by 2028, to offset closures in the traditional network of bar-tobacco-press outlets – and by the development of the online channel, which is expected to account for 20% of lottery revenue by 2028. At the same time, the Group’s omnichannel player account and its FDJ & Moi programme will help raise the share of identified players to over 25%.

The BU’s ambition is expected to result in:

• Average annual revenue growth in the low to mid-single digit, low single digit for points of sale and low to mid-teens for ilottery.

• Recurring EBITDA margin of over 35% by 2028.

The Online betting and gaming BU’s ambition is to expand its positions in all its markets, with rapid growth in revenue and even greater growth in profitability.

This responsible development is based on an engaging gaming experience supported by a differentiating marketing strategy, the unique scalable proprietary platform KSP, and greater operational efficiency to outperform the markets in which the Group is present and benefit from significant operating leverage.

The BU’s ambition is expected to result in:

• Growth in market share and stronger positioning in all geographic markets, with the aim of being in the top 3 in seven of its eight main European markets, for average annual revenue growth in the high single digit.

• Higher growth in recurring EBITDA, with a recurring EBITDA margin of over 30% by 2028.

The post FDJ UNITED Sets Ambitious Sustainability Objectives and Strategies for 2028 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Brasil

Brasil impulsa su agenda de integridad en un contexto de fuerte crecimiento del mercado

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El mercado regulado de apuestas en Brasil continúa ganando estructura y dinamismo, a medida que el país equilibra la consolidación regulatoria, las salvaguardas de integridad y el crecimiento comercial.

Durante la última semana, desarrollos clave, desde la implementación de políticas federales hasta asociaciones estratégicas e innovación de productos, ponen de relieve cómo el ecosistema está madurando de cara a grandes eventos deportivos globales.

El Gobierno lanza una política nacional para combatir la manipulación de partidos

Un hito regulatorio importante se alcanzó con la creación de la Política Nacional para la Prevención y el Combate de la Manipulación Deportiva (PNPEMR). Establecida mediante una ordenanza conjunta de los Ministerios de Deportes, Hacienda y Justicia, la política introduce un marco nacional integral diseñado para abordar los riesgos de integridad en el deporte.

La iniciativa se estructura en torno a cuatro pilares centrales: regulación, prevención, monitoreo y fiscalización, con el objetivo de proteger la credibilidad y la imprevisibilidad de las competiciones deportivas en Brasil.

La política enfatiza la cooperación interinstitucional, reuniendo a autoridades públicas, organizaciones deportivas, operadores de apuestas y organismos internacionales. Entre sus principales medidas se incluyen:

  • Estandarización de los flujos de reporte de actividades de apuestas sospechosas
    • Programas de educación continua para atletas, árbitros y oficiales deportivos
    • Mecanismos de protección para denunciantes
    • Refuerzo de las investigaciones penales dirigidas a redes organizadas de manipulación de partidos

En el marco de esta política, el Ministerio de Deportes coordinará la implementación, mientras que el Ministerio de Hacienda supervisará la regulación de las apuestas y el cumplimiento por parte de los operadores.

El Ministerio de Justicia y Seguridad Pública, junto con la Policía Federal, liderará los esfuerzos de intercambio de inteligencia y aplicación de la ley, especialmente en casos con alcance interestatal o internacional. Vea-se DOU.

Un comité de gobernanza con múltiples actores será responsable de monitorear los avances y proponer ajustes, garantizando que la política evolucione junto con el mercado.

Este movimiento refuerza la intención de Brasil de alinear su supervisión regulatoria con los estándares globales de integridad, especialmente relevante a medida que el país se prepara para escenarios de alto volumen de apuestas durante competiciones internacionales de gran escala.

Sportradar amplía su estrategia de iGaming con el lanzamiento de Playradar

En el frente corporativo, Sportradar anunció el lanzamiento de Playradar, una nueva marca dedicada a su vertical de iGaming, lo que señala un cambio estratégico hacia experiencias de apuestas más integradas e inmersivas.

La nueva oferta se basa en conceptos de juego híbridos, combinando datos deportivos en tiempo real e históricos con streaming en vivo y contenido de casino.

Entre sus principales características se encuentra un hub de experiencia en vivo 24/7, donde los usuarios pueden interactuar simultáneamente con eventos deportivos y formatos de juego interactivos.

La iniciativa estará liderada por Edo Haitin, un ejecutivo con más de dos décadas de experiencia en gaming en vivo y desarrollo de productos.

La compañía planea lanzar Playradar a partir de 2026, inicialmente en mercados regulados del Reino Unido, América del Norte y América Latina.

Según el CEO Carsten Koerl, este movimiento representa una evolución natural de las capacidades de la empresa, aprovechando su infraestructura existente en datos, streaming y análisis del comportamiento de los usuarios para mejorar el engagement y la monetización a lo largo del ciclo de vida del jugador.

Haitin también destacó la visión estratégica detrás del lanzamiento, subrayando la capacidad de combinar tecnología y contenido en línea con las demandas cambiantes del mercado, especialmente a medida que los operadores buscan experiencias de usuario diferenciadas e inmersivas.

Es importante destacar que Playradar operará exclusivamente en entornos regulados, manteniendo un fuerte enfoque en el juego responsable y la integridad, en línea con las tendencias más amplias del sector y la regulación.

Playson refuerza su presencia en Brasil mediante una asociación con Betnacional

Reforzando aún más la posición de Brasil como un mercado de alto crecimiento, Playson amplió su presencia regional a través de una nueva asociación con Betnacional, un operador local líder propiedad de Flutter Entertainment.

El acuerdo permitirá la integración de un portafolio de títulos destacados de Playson en la plataforma de Betnacional, incluyendo 4 Pots Riches, Diamonds Power y Sugar Teddy x1000, todos reconocidos por su sólido rendimiento en mercados regulados y mecánicas de juego atractivas como Hold and Win.

La asociación refleja una tendencia más amplia de la industria hacia la localización y estrategias mobile-first, a medida que los operadores buscan alinear mejor su contenido con las preferencias de los jugadores regionales.

Cristhian Zito, Head de LatAm en Playson, destacó la importancia estratégica del acuerdo:
Associarnos con Betnacional es un hito importante para nosotros en Brasil. Es una marca local muy respetada con un profundo conocimiento de su audiencia, y estamos seguros de que nuestro contenido resonará fuertemente con sus jugadores.

“ Este lanzamiento refuerza aún más nuestra posición en el mercado y refleja nuestro compromiso de ofrecer juegos atractivos y de alto rendimiento a operadores en toda América Latina”.

Desde la perspectiva del operador, Frederico Cunha, Head Comercial de Betnacional, también subrayó el valor de la colaboración:

Estamos encantados de dar la bienvenida al portafolio de Playson en Betnacional. Sus juegos son reconocidos por su calidad, mecánicas sólidas y rendimiento consistente, lo que los convierte en una valiosa incorporación a nuestra oferta. Esperamos trabajar estrechamente y ofrecer una experiencia de entretenimiento mejorada a nuestros jugadores”.

Un mercado que equilibra integridad y crecimiento

En conjunto, los desarrollos de esta semana ilustran una clara doble trayectoria en el sector de apuestas en Brasil: el fortalecimiento de los marcos institucionales y de integridad, al mismo tiempo que se atraen inversión, innovación y asociaciones internacionales.

A medida que las estructuras regulatorias se vuelven más sofisticadas y se profundiza la colaboración entre los actores del ecosistema, Brasil se posiciona no solo como un mercado conforme y seguro, sino también como un hub central de crecimiento para la industria del gaming en América Latina.

SportyBet nombra a DJ Khaled como embajador global para reforzar la conexión entre deporte, cultura y entretenimiento

SportyBet anunció a DJ Khaled como su nuevo embajador global, reforzando su posicionamiento en la intersección entre deporte, música y cultura contemporánea.

Se une a un roster global que incluye a José Mourinho y Éder Militão, fortaleciendo la estrategia de la compañía de conectar con audiencias a través del entretenimiento.

La asociación se desplegará en mercados clave como Brasil, Estados Unidos, México y partes de África, apoyando la expansión de SportyBet como una plataforma centrada en la experiencia.

Según Elias Gallego, vicepresidente de Sporty Group, la colaboración refleja el enfoque de la empresa en asociarse con figuras culturalmente relevantes para conectar con audiencias diversas, especialmente en mercados como Brasil, donde el deporte y el estilo de vida están estrechamente vinculados.

Mayor apuesta por la música y el entretenimiento

El movimiento también señala un esfuerzo más amplio de Sporty Group por integrar la música en su ecosistema de entretenimiento.

A principios de este año, la compañía se asoció con Burna Boy en el proyecto “For Everybody”, combinando música, fútbol y cultura global.

En este contexto, la incorporación de DJ Khaled refuerza una estrategia centrada en el storytelling y el engagement de los fans, especialmente en regiones donde el deporte y la música están profundamente conectados.

Mentalidad global y evolución de marca

DJ Khaled destacó la visión compartida detrás de la asociación, enfatizando la mentalidad, la autenticidad y la conexión global con los fans.

El acuerdo refuerza la evolución de SportyBet más allá de las apuestas deportivas, posicionando la marca dentro de un ecosistema de entretenimiento más amplio.

En Brasil, se alinea con el crecimiento continuo de la compañía y su enfoque en ofrecer experiencias integradas que combinan contenido, cultura y engagement del usuario.

The post Brasil impulsa su agenda de integridad en un contexto de fuerte crecimiento del mercado appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

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Brazil

Brazil advances integrity agenda amid strong market growth

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Brazil’s regulated betting market continues to gain structure and momentum, as the country balances regulatory consolidation, integrity safeguards, and commercial growth.

Over the past week, key developments, from federal policy implementation to strategic partnerships and product innovation, highlight how the ecosystem is maturing ahead of major global sporting events.

Government launches national policy to combat match-fixing

A major regulatory milestone was reached with the creation of the National Policy for the Prevention and Combating of Sports Manipulation (PNPEMR). Established through a joint ordinance by the Ministries of Sports, Finance, and Justice, the policy introduces a comprehensive national framework designed to address integrity risks in sports.

The initiative is structured around four central pillars: regulation, prevention, monitoring and enforcement, aiming to protect the credibility and unpredictability of sporting competitions in Brazil.

The policy emphasizes interinstitutional cooperation, bringing together public authorities, sports organizations, betting operators and international bodies.

Among its key measures are:

  • Standardization of reporting flows for suspicious betting activity
  • Continuous education programs for athletes, referees and sports officials
  • Protection mechanisms for whistleblowers
  • Strengthening of criminal investigations targeting organized match-fixing networks

Under the framework, the Ministry of Sports will coordinate implementation, while the Ministry of Finance will oversee betting regulation and operator compliance. The Ministry of Justice and Public Security, alongside the Federal Police, will lead intelligence-sharing and enforcement efforts, particularly in cases with interstate or international scope. See DOU

A multi-stakeholder governance committee will be responsible for monitoring progress and proposing adjustments, ensuring that the policy evolves alongside the market.

This move reinforces Brazil’s intention to align regulatory oversight with global integrity standards, particularly relevant as the country prepares for high-volume betting scenarios during major international competitions.

Sportradar expands iGaming strategy with Playradar launch

On the corporate front, Sportradar announced the launch of Playradar, a new brand dedicated to its iGaming vertical, signaling a strategic shift toward more integrated and immersive betting experiences.

The new offering is built around hybrid gaming concepts, combining real-time and historical sports data with live streaming and casino content.

Among the key features is a 24/7 live experience hub, where users can engage simultaneously with sports events and interactive gaming formats.

The initiative will be led by Edo Haitin, a seasoned executive with over two decades of experience in live gaming and product development.

The company plans to roll out Playradar starting in 2026, initially targeting regulated markets in the UK, North America and Latin America.

According to CEO Carsten Koerl, the move represents a natural evolution of the company’s capabilities, leveraging its existing infrastructure in data, streaming and user behavior analytics to enhance engagement and monetization across the player lifecycle.

Haitin also emphasized the strategic vision behind the launch, highlighting the ability to combine technology and content in line with evolving market demands, particularly as operators look for differentiated and immersive user experiences.

Importantly, Playradar will operate exclusively in regulated environments, maintaining a strong focus on responsible gaming and integrity, aligning with broader industry and regulatory trends.

Playson strengthens Brazilian footprint through Betnacional partnership

Further reinforcing Brazil’s position as a high-growth market, Playson expanded its regional presence through a new partnership with Betnacional, a leading local operator owned by Flutter Entertainment.

The agreement will see a portfolio of Playson’s top-performing titles integrated into Betnacional’s platform, including 4 Pots Riches, Diamonds Power, and Sugar Teddy x1000, all recognized for their strong performance in regulated markets and engaging gameplay mechanics such as Hold and Win.

The partnership reflects a broader industry trend toward localization and mobile-first strategies, as operators seek to better align content with regional player preferences.

Cristhian Zito, Head of LatAm at Playson, highlighted the strategic importance of the deal:

Partnering with Betnacional is an important milestone for us in Brazil. It is a highly respected local brand with a deep understanding of its audience, and we are confident our content will resonate strongly with its players.

This launch further strengthens our position in the market and reflects our commitment to delivering engaging, high-performing games to operators across Latin America.”

From the operator’s perspective, Frederico Cunha, Head of Commercial at Betnacional, also emphasized the value of the collaboration:

We are delighted to welcome Playson’s portfolio to Betnacional. Their games are recognised for their quality, strong mechanics, and consistent performance, making them a valuable addition to our offering.

We look forward to working closely together and bringing an enhanced entertainment experience to our players.”

A market balancing integrity and growth

Taken together, this week’s developments illustrate a clear dual trajectory in Brazil’s betting sector: strengthening institutional and integrity frameworks while simultaneously attracting investment, innovation and international partnerships.

As regulatory structures become more sophisticated and collaboration between stakeholders deepens, Brazil is positioning itself not only as a compliant and secure market, but also as a central hub for growth in Latin America’s gaming industry.

SportyBet appoints DJ Khaled as global ambassador to expand connection between sports, culture and entertainment

SportyBet has announced DJ Khaled as its new global ambassador, strengthening its positioning at the intersection of sports, music, and contemporary culture.

He joins a global roster that includes José Mourinho and Éder Militão, reinforcing the company’s strategy of connecting with audiences through entertainment. The partnership will roll out across key markets such as Brazil, the United States, Mexico, and parts of Africa, supporting SportyBet’s expansion as an experience-driven platform.

According to Elias Gallego, Vice President of Sporty Group, the collaboration reflects the company’s focus on partnering with culturally relevant figures to engage diverse audiences, particularly in markets like Brazil where sports and lifestyle are closely linked.

Deeper push into music and entertainment

The move also signals a broader effort by Sporty Group to integrate music into its entertainment ecosystem. Earlier this year, the company partnered with Burna Boy on the “For Everybody” project, blending music, football, and global culture.

In this context, DJ Khaled’s appointment further strengthens a strategy centered on storytelling and fan engagement, especially in regions where sports and music are deeply connected.

Global mindset and brand evolution

DJ Khaled highlighted the shared vision behind the partnership, emphasizing mindset, authenticity, and global connection with fans.

The agreement reinforces SportyBet’s evolution beyond sports betting, positioning the brand within a broader entertainment ecosystem. In Brazil, it aligns with the company’s ongoing growth and its focus on delivering integrated experiences that combine content, culture, and user engagement.

The post Brazil advances integrity agenda amid strong market growth appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

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Soft2Bet Gathering: An Elite Golf & Padel Experience

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Soft2Bet, a leading iGaming turnkey solutions provider, recently brought together industry connections for an exclusive two-day golf and padel experience at the Gleneagles Hotel in Scotland. The event brought Soft2Bet’s friends and connections together to enjoy a relaxed day of golf and padel, meaningful conversations, and shared moments in an inspiring setting, celebrating the spirit of connection and community that defines the company’s approach.

Set against the backdrop of one of Scotland’s best-known sporting estates, the day paired competitive play with the camaraderie and shared spirit that are such a valued part of the game. Attendees enjoyed access to Gleneagles’ most exclusive Ryder Cup & Solheim courses, where the relaxed setting encouraged genuine connection and reflected the supportive atmosphere that made the gathering especially memorable.

Gleneagles was a fitting venue for the occasion. With more than a century of golfing history, three championship courses and a reputation built on world-class hospitality, it remains one of Scotland’s standout golf destinations. Its PGA Centenary Course hosted the 2014 Ryder Cup and the 2019 Solheim Cup, making Gleneagles the only golfing destination in Europe to have staged both events.

The event reflects Soft2Bet’s belief that strong connections are built through shared goals, trust and collaboration. Creating space for in-person connection allows the company to deepen those relationships and support long-term success.

Harrison Barrett, VP of Business Development at Soft2Bet, commented: “Bringing the industry together in a setting like Gleneagles allows us to go beyond day-to-day operations and focus on what truly drives success, while playing golf and padel. Events like this are an opportunity to align on vision, exchange ideas and celebrate the momentum.”

Stuart Trigwell, Director of Business Development at Play’n GO said: “The time spent at Gleneagles, enjoying the incredible courses and engaging in genuine, strategic conversations, was an absolute highlight. It is events like these that reinforce the trust and collaborative spirit at the core of our relations.”

The gathering reflects Soft2Bet’s wider approach to the iGaming community engagement, creating opportunities for stronger collaboration and supporting growth across key markets.

The post Soft2Bet Gathering: An Elite Golf & Padel Experience appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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